Karnataka BSP to hold state-wide bike rally from January 15 - Times of India

Bahujan
Samaj Party’s Karnataka unit will hold a state-wide motorcycle rally
from January 15 in the run up to party’s convention ‘Prajaprabhutava
Ulis

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The World Tipiṭaka Presentation to University of Oslo 2009

The World Tipiṭaka Presentation to University of Oslo 2009

The World Tipiṭaka Presentation to University of Oslo was organised on November 2, 2009.

The Presentation of the International Romanised-script Pāḷi Tipiṭaka
also marks the 84th Birthday Anniversary Celebrations of Her Royal
Highness Princess Bejaratana of Thailand, November 24th 2009.

As
a unique meritorious act for the occasion, Princess Bejaratana decides
to follow the publication of the Tipiṭaka in Siam-script edition by her
grandfather, His Majesty King Chulalongkorn Chulachomklao, who in 1893,
had the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka printed in book form for the first time in the
world. One set of these historical printings were presented to and
subsequently has been well-preserved here at the University of Oslo
Library.

this presentation is to join a meritorious act of Her
Royal Highness’s late cousin, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani
Vadhana, who in 2005 presented a special inauguration 40-volume Tipiṭaka
in roman-script edition to leading institutions worldwide.

Once
informed of that Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana, approved her
staff’s recommendation to present the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka in Roman
Script-edition to the University of Oslo Library to complement the
Siam-script edition.

With this act, Princess Bejaratana humbly
follows her grandfather’s dedication to promote studies of Tipiṭaka, one
of the most profound wisdom of the East, among scholars of the Western
world. The Princess hopes that the merits of this International Tipiṭaka
printing and presentation will lay for us the foundation for mutual
understanding and sustainable harmony of humankind.

The World
Tipiṭaka Edition is published as a gift of Dhamma by Dhamma Society
Thailand with the late HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana as its Honorary
Patron. The Presentation of the World Tipiṭaka Project is also supported
by NCNK Foundation under the Queen’s Patronage.

Speech by
Director of the Library of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mr Halvor Konghavn

Dear Excellency, dear guests.

Let me introduce myself : My name is Halvor Kongshavn, I am the Library
Director of the Library of Humanities and Social Sciences at the
University of Oslo Library. On behalf of the library, it is a great
honor and pleasure to receive such a magnificent gift published by the
Dhamma Society. The Tipitaka in a roman transcript version is of immense
value for the study of Buddhism as it is the only completely surviving
early Buddhist canon.

I would like to say a few words about the
University of Oslo Library. It is Norway’s largest research library.
Hence, it is of great importance not only for the University of Oslo,
but for all Norway. Our collections go back to when the University was
established in 1811. Currently, they comprise several million volumes.
Additionally, we own a constantly growing number of electronic
documents. This year we are celebrating our tenth anniversary in this
building - the most beautiful one on the University of Oslo Campus – and
which we are very proud of. It was a pleasure for me to give you a tour
of the library prior to this event.

The Library represents an
important part of the University of Oslo’s academic and pedagogic
activities. Primarily, our users are the university’s students, scholars
and employees. However, we are a public library where everybody is
welcome. We can provide documents and competence within a wide array of
academic areas, for example the study of languages, traditions, cultures
and religions – including Buddhism.

In the late 19th century, on
the occasion of his 25th anniversary as the regent of Siam, King
Chulalongkorn Chulachomklao ordered a printed version of the Tipitaka.
Until then, it had existed for about two thousand years on palm leaves
only. In 1896 the King donated the book, comprising of 39 volumes, to
this library as a royal gift. We have always been very proud owners of
this work, especially since it was printed in a very limited edition. As
the volumes are now quite old, and very rare, they have been stored in
our security stacks with limited access only. However, we are pleased to
be able to present them to the public here today.

And we are
even more happy to be able to present the Tipitaka to our users in a new
edition, not only in a printed, romanized-script version, but also
electronically via the Dhamma Society’s web page. As the largest
university library in Norway we will now be the owners of different
presentations of a text of great importance to millions of people all
over the world.

In 1949, the British library philosopher A.
Broadfield stated that the library exists for the sake of freedom of
thought. Books are far the strongest safeguards of freedom of individual
thought. He concluded : “The librarian’s task is clear. He should keep
thought free and fluid — his own thought and all other thought that
comes within his province”.

I myself would like to add the following to Broadfield’s wise words: No library, no academia.

I would also like to repeat some of our prorector’s thoughts: We could
all benefit from looking into new ways of reviving the once so fruitful
interaction between the east and the west. By receiving the Tipitaka –
and also by receiving you and your delegation here – the library has
taken part in such an interaction. We promise you we will take good care
of your generous gift, in the same way as we always have done with the
first edition. It will be classified, catalogued and labeled according
to the best library customs, and will then be presented to our users
together with the rest of our literature related to the study of
Buddhism.

On behalf of the Oslo University Library, our most
sincere gratitude to the Dhamma Society and to Her Royal Highness
Princess Bejaratana of Thailand.

I will now give the floor to the
President of the Norwegian Buddhist Association and Patron of the World
Tipitaka, Mr Egil Lothe.

Thank you!

Speech of thanks from UiO’s Pro-rector Inga Bostad to Thailand’s delegation
at the presentation of the 40 volume Tipitaka.
Oslo University Library, Nov. 2, 2009.

Dear Excellency.

On behalf of the University of Oslo, I am very pleased and honored to receive

the generous and important gift that the Tipitaka represents. The
Romanized version that you have given us today complements the original
edition, which due to its old age is safely preserved here in the
library’s stacks.

We have learned that the 40-volume set of the
Tipitaka is a royal gift of wisdom and peace. You can be sure the books
are received by an institution with strong traditions within the study
of world religions and philosophies. Among others, the study of religion
in a multicultural society is a focus area at the University of Oslo.
For many years our scholars have participated in establishing
interreligious dialogues both in academia and the society at large.

We all know the important role that Buddhism plays in Asia, also
politically. In the same way as the Evangelical-Lutheran religion is the
official religion of Norway, Buddhism is Thailand’s state religion,
with about 95% of the Thais as its followers. Historically, Thailand and
the surrounding geographical areas have fostered a distinct Buddhist
culture and art that still remain very active. The beautiful version
that we have received from you of the Tipitaka - the earliest collection
of Buddhist writings – is a result of these incredibly rich artistic
expressions. I am certain that the books will prove invaluable to our
students and scholars in their effort to interpret and analyze religious
texts, rituals, traditions and statements.

The University of
Oslo is proud to be able to offer a wide array of academic disciplines
to our students. We put a lot of emphasis on providing them with a broad
general education that tie different fields of study together. In order
to secure their academic development and maturity, we believe that it
is important that for example students of natural sciences also receive
input from the humanities or social sciences, and vice versa.

Almost ever since the University of Oslo was founded, all the students
have had to do a semester of preparatory courses that evolve around
different aspects of philosophy and the history of ideas. This system
was copied by the other public universities that were later founded in
different parts of Norway. Even though the courses focus mostly on
occidental philosophy, connecting lines are also drawn to oriental
thinking and philosophy. A philosopher myself, I have always been
fascinated by the junctions between the East and the West, and the
non-Western traditions of philosophy. In a poetical way we may say that
since the earliest human recollection, the East, following the sun,
searched the West for something, which at the same time the West, facing
the sun, hoped to find in the East.

Buddhism is considered one
of the great world religions. The Buddhist path can be summed up as: 1)
to lead a moral life; 2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and
actions; and 3) to develop wisdom and understanding. To many, the
essence of Buddhism therefore goes beyond the regular concept of
religion. Buddhism is considered more of a philosophy or ‘way of life’,
especially if we keep in mind that the word philosophy literally means
‘love of wisdom’.

When encountering other religions and beliefs
we are challenged to explore our own faith and traditions. Of all
religions, Buddhism seems to be one of the most respected and less
criticized, both in Norway as in the rest of the Western world. It might
be easier for people raised in a Christian culture to identify with
Buddha, the enlightened founder of Buddhism, since his origin, in the
same way as Jesus Christ’s, also was as a real, living person.

The former Bishop of Oslo, Gunnar Stålsett, met Dalai Lama when he was
awarded the Nobel Peace Price. They were both asked to describe what
they thought was the most precious thing in the other’s religion. Dalai
Lama answered that he cherished the Christian God as a being that cares
so much about each of us that he is even willing to die for us. Bishop
Stålsett, on his side, emphasized Buddhism’s appreciation and respect
for any form of life. Perhaps this is one of the reasons for Buddhism’s
increasing appeal to Western people, especially those looking for
peaceful solutions to wars and conflicts.

In an era marked by
wars and economic recession perhaps we all would benefit from looking
into new ways of reviving the once so fruitful interaction between the
east and the west. There is a huge potential for reciprocal
“alphabetization” between the cultures of the orient and the occident,
as part of a renewal of a much needed intercultural dialogue. The new
edition of the Tipitaka will provide students and scholars of the
academic disciplines involved in these matters with an invaluable source
of inspiration. In the true spirit of the gift’s intentions, let’s hope
that will bring both them and us some peace and wisdom !
On behalf
of the University of Oslo, please extend our most sincere gratitude to
the Dhamma Society and Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana of
Thailand.

Thank you !

Mr Egil Logthe,
President of Buddhist Federation of Norway 2009

Excellencies
Ladies and gentlemen
Friends

In 1893 the complete collection of the Buddhist canonical scriptures in
the Pali language was printed in Bangkok on the order of His Majesty
King Chulalongkorn Chulachomklao, the fifth reigning monarch of the
Chakri dynasty of Thailand. This was the first time in history that the
Tipitaka was made available in modern book format. His Majesty King
Chulalongkorn furthermore chose to make the sacred scriptures of
Buddhism a symbol of friendship with the world by donating the 39
volumes of the Tipitaka to seats of learning all over the world. One of
the seats of learning was the University of Christiania as our capital
was named at that time. They are symbols of King Chulalongkorn’s vision
of his country becoming a part of the global community of nations. They
are also symbols of how the first connections were established between
our two countries. These connections were further confirmed when King
Chulalongkorn himself visited Norway during the summer of 1907.

Today the University of Oslo is receiving a new set of the Tipitaka from
King Chulalongkorn’s granddaughter, Her Royal Highness Princess
Bejaratana on the occasion of her 84th Birthday Anniversary. The
designated representative of the Princess, Her Excellency Thanphuying
Putrie Viravaidaya, have come to Oslo accompanied by a delegation from
The Dhamma Society of Thailand to present a set of the 40 volumes of the
Pali Tipitaka printed in Roman letters. It should also be mentioned
that supporting t

his meritorious act is the RCNK Foundation and Thai Airways, which is the Official Carrier of the World Tipitaka to Oslo.

The institution publishing and distributing this set of the Pali
Tipitaka is The M.L. Maniratana Bunnag Dhamma Society under the
Patronage His Holiness Somdet Phra Ñāṇasaṃvara the Supreme Patriarch of
Thailand.

The World Tipiṭaka Edition in Roman script which is
being presented here at the Oslo University Library today is a revised
edition of the Tipitaka issued by the Buddhist council that took place
in Rangoon in Burma during a period of two years from 1954 to 1956. At
this council 2500 prominent scholar monks from all the countries of
Theravada Buddhism collated existing editions and prepared a new edition
of the whole Tipitaka usually referred to as the Sixth Council Edition
or the International Edition. Its great significance lies in the fact
that it is not only a monumental achievement of classical Theravada
scholarship but also because it has the position of being the edition
most broadly authorized by the religious hierarchy of Theravada
Buddhism.

The Dhamma Society of Thailand has taken painstaking
efforts in proofreading the available electronic and printed versions of
the International Edition to ensure the highest level of accuracy of
The World Tipiṭaka Edition in Roman script. The printed version in 40
volumes was completed in 2005. For the inaugural presentation, HRH
Princess Galyani Vadhana, as Honorary President and Royal Patron, led a
historic pilgrimage to Sri Lanka to present the special inaugural
edition as a royal gift of Dhamma to the President of that country. The
Dhamma Society has since presented The World Tipiṭaka Edition in Roman
script to selected institutions in various countries.

The Pali
canon represents the only canonical collection of Buddhism that has been
preserved complete in its original linguistic form. It is thus of
immense historical significance in the context of the study of Buddhism
of the Theravada school specifically as well as Buddhism generally. It
is also of great importance as a rich source of knowledge about Indian
society and culture as it was about two and a half millennia ago. But
even more than that, the Tipitaka as the sacred scriptures of Buddhism
remains the foundation for the Buddhist cultures of Asia. Knowledge of
the Tipitaka is thus essential in order to fully understand these
cultures. Also as expressions of ethical and spiritual values held dear
by a significant section of humanity it is one of the pillars of our
common world civilization.

For these reasons the Tipitaka needs
to be known. The academic world has in our opinion an important role to
play in exploring our common human heritage and in conveying knowledge
about the sources of our global civilization. Presenting The World
Tipiṭaka Edition in Roman script is the humble contribution of this
delegation. It is also an expression of our appreciation for the
achievements of the University of Oslo in the study of the Buddhist
heritage.

The texts of the Tipitaka are also reaching a broader
audience in this country through translations into Norwegian. Graduates
from this university have recently compiled a book with translations
from Pali into Norwegian of a broad selection of texts from the
Tipitaka. Published by the Buddhist Federation of Norway it will be
distributed as a representative collection of canonical Buddhist
scriptures.

The Dhamma Society will continue its activities of
presenting The World Tipiṭaka Edition in Roman script to seats of
learning. Next year it will go to Beijing and to Washington DC for this
purpose. But it need be said that the appreciation showed by the
University of Oslo is a great inspiration in our work. Also we would
celebrate the fact that with the presentation of The World Tipiṭaka here
today the presentation of the Tipitaka by His Majesty King
Chulalongkorn Chulachomklao 113 years ago has come full circle.

See more archive pictures
หน้าเว็บย่อย (3): National Library of Norway National Libraty of Norway Tipiṭaka Studies

The World Tipiṭaka Presentation to University of Oslo 2009 - World Tipiṭaka Endowment

In 1893 the complete collection of the Buddhist canonical scriptures in the Pali language was printed…

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